Retirement Living

Are you considering making the move into retirement? There are a few things to think about during the process. Some of our residents have taken as little as 4 weeks and as long as 4 years to journey into retirement, so don’t feel rushed or pressured. Watch the video or skip below to see the list.

4 Steps to Journey into Retirement

Visit Retirement Villages and Gather Information

Prepare your house for sale

Get Independent Specialist Financial advice about in-going, on-going, and out-going costs before purchase

Get Independent Legal Advice about contracts, terms and conditions before purchase

Visiting Retirement Villages

Every village offers unique services, lifestyle options and community aspects so it’s in your best interest to visit multiple and gather information from each one. Before you visit, think through the details and prepare some questions to ask the specialists at the villages, but ask yourself some questions too.

Where do I want to live?

Is it close to family and friends?

Would this village suit my lifestyle?

What other services does this provider offer such as in-home care or aged care?

What can I contribute to this community?

Preparing your house for sale

Appraisals, decluttering and moving are all elements of preparing your house for sale and downsizing. It’s worth getting multiple appraisals for your home and employing the services of removalists.

Consider the property you’ll be moving into, will your furniture work in the space? Many villages have relationships with removalists and are happy to help you arrange their services. The last two elements are the most important in the process.

Get Independent Legal and Financial Advice

It’s imperative to get independent legal and financial advice to make an informed decision before you move into a retirement village. Know the ins and outs of the contract your signing and also whether you’re going to be comfortable with the fees associated with living in a retirement village.

Have questions? We are more than happy to answer any and also point you in the right direction to some great resources.

We currently have four Retirement Living sites across Adelaide. Each village has a unique community feel with different size homes that suit a variety of budgets.

RSL Care SA is privileged to share the extraordinary military experiences, stories and recollections of some of our veteran residents.

It is always a privilege to have ex-service men and women access temporary or permanent accommodation through RSL Care SA. Our Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL) program offers emergency and affordable housing accommodation options to contemporary veterans, while our Retirement Living and Residential Aged Care facilities offer accommodation to the elderly.

We are in a unique position to hear so many different stories about our residents military experiences. We think it’s important to share these stories with others as a reminder to be thankful for the freedom we experience today because of the ongoing service of others. We will be adding to this post regularly and hope you enjoy learning about our veterans as much as we do!

Flying Officer, Alex McKinnon

Alex enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in September 1941 at the age of 18. His initial training was at Fort Breckan Victor Harbor in the same intake as Keith Miller the famous Australian cricketer. Further training took place on Prince Edward Island Canada before being shipped to Brighton in the UK. After a short time in the UK, Alex was shipped to the Middle East where he was assigned as a Navigator to RAAF 459 Squadron. This squadron was located at an airbase called El Berka just out of Benghazi in Libya. Alex (Navigator) and three other crew members (Pilot, Wireless Operator and Gunner) flew Baltimore Bomber aircraft over the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas bombing German shipping and supplies as well as missions to Rhodes and Crete. In total Alex flew 28 sorties with 176.5 hours of flying.

Alex returned to Australia at the completion of the War as a Flying Officer, achieving the following Honours and Awards: 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Returned from Active Service Badge.

Squadron Leader, Murray ‘Lyne’ Skinner

Lyne enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on the 5th of December 1940 at the young age of 19, accompanied by his older brother John. After some initial training in Pearce and Cunderdin in Western Australia, Lyne was singled out as a pilot and sent to Sommertown on Prince Edward Island in Canada for the next stage of training, which would ensure he was at the standard level required for the Operational Training Unit in England. Lyne finished his training in the United Kingdom in Wiltshire, Chivenor and Devon.

Lyne’s first operation, as leading Aircraftman, was on the 14th of May 1942. While it was quite an uneventful mission (unexpectedly cut short), it did not foretell the many hours of flying and ‘heart stopping’ moments that were to come. Lyne had several postings across the United Kingdom, the Western Desert in Egypt, Malta and Italy. His missions included submarine operations, enemy patrols, dinghy searches, reconnaissance, navigation and even a mine laying operation! While Lyne flew many aircraft’s during his time in the RAAF, his favourite by far was the Spitfire.

Lyne’s last posting was with RAF 683 Squadron based at Stan Severa, Italy. In 1945 he was discharged as Squadron Leader, having achieved a whopping 1,114 hours (and 35 minutes) of flying.

Sadly, Lyne’s brother John was killed in a Blenheim crash in Kenya in 1941, never to return home.

Flying Officer, Colin Watt OAM, DFM

Colin Watt OAM DFM flew Lancaster aircraft with Bomber Command in WWII. Colin completed 25 missions totaling over 170 flight hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his extraordinary service in exceptionally trying circumstances. Only three of the 14 pilots Colin trained with survived the war. The below photo was taken on the 29th of September 1942, with Colin flying the lead aircraft! Sadly, the two planes accompanying him were shot down shortly after this photo was captured.

Colonel Donald Beard AM, RFD, ED (Ret’d)

After completing his medical degree Donald Beard volunteered as a Medical Officer in the Army in 1949 serving in Japan and treating evacuated soldiers from Korea with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Donald Beard was due to return to Australia on the 27th June 1950, but 4 days before his departure he was recall to his base unit where he reluctantly volunteered to serve in Korea. He served as Regimental Medical Officer during the famous 3rd Battalion (Old Faithful) in the Battle of Kapyong. The Battle of Kapyong involved a 15,000-strong Chinese division attacking the Australian, British and Canadian Battalions and the New Zealand 16th Field Regiment in two days and nights of fierce fighting near Seoul. Donald returned to Australia in December of 1951.

Donald was chosen as a member of the Australian contingent to attend and march in the coronation service of the Queen Elizabeth II in London on 2 June 1953. Part of a world goodwill tour lasting 5 months. In 1968, Donald again found himself serving in a war zone at Vung Tau Base, Vietnam. Donald had a long and distinguished career as a Doctor which included being the medical officer for the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Donald’s extraordinary life has been documented by Ashley Mallett in the Wakefield Press book called ‘The Diggers’ Doctor, the Fortunate Life of Col. Donald Beard AM, RFD, ED (Ret’d)’. Donald very kindly signed 2 copies of his book while he was with us for 5 weeks of respite in August 2017. We look forward to having him back later this year!

RSL Care SA has partnered with Life Care to provide help at home for residents of our Sturt and Hamilton Retirement Villages.

Many people want to stay in their homes as they age, remaining independent and part of the local community. In order to assist our Sturt and Hamilton Village residents with this goal, RSL Care SA’s partnership with Life Care helps with access to the relevant support and services needed that are tailored to suit individual requirements in their own homes.

Sometimes it’s just a little extra help that is needed. It could be assistance with shopping, preparing meals, personal care through to respite, transportation, friendship and community activities, or even some specialised equipment to make the home safer and easier to get around. A Life Care ‘At Home Advisor’ can help coordinate and facilitate assessments if you are entitled to government funding.

The ‘At Home Advisor’ is able to discuss and coordinate a variety of services, whether they are through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), a Home Care Package (HCP) or by paying themselves (self-funded).

The Government pays for the majority of aged care services, however, people will be asked to contribute if they are financially able to do so. Any co-payment which you may be asked to make will depend on the services you receive.
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) – If you are receiving a Government funded service then you will be asked to contribute to this and this will be reviewed periodically during the year.
Home Care Packages (HCP) – The Government pays its portion direct to the provider and you will receive a statement from the provider clearly outlining what the Government has paid, what your contribution is and what services you are receiving.

At all times, residents are given choice and control in support and services required to stay independent in their own home.

For further information regarding help at home, please call 8379 2600 and ask to speak with our Retirement Living Manager.

Waterford Estate is located along side the River Murray and has developed from farming land 20 years ago, to a vibrant and lively community of approximately 200 residents. There is a parcel of vacant land within the village which will provide RSL Care SA with future growth opportunities. It has not yet been determined what use the land will have at this stage, RSL Care SA will be looking to explore various options in the coming months.

CEO, Nathan Klinge said “many of the residents I’ve spoken with are very pleased to see ownership of the village transfer to RSL Care SA, as they not only regard the mission and values of RSL Care SA highly, but they are also reassured by our position as not for profit operator that has been around for over 100 years”.

RSL Care SA welcomes Waterford Estate residents and staff to the RSL Care SA community, and we are particularly delighted to be developing these new relationships in such an important regional centre for South Australia.

RSL Care SA Retirement Living Villages

RSL Care SA has 3 other retirement living villages located in: Myrtle Bank, Glengowrie and Marion. For more information on Living in Good Company with RSL Care SA, phone 8379 2600.

A testimony from residents Trevor & Margaret

We recently sat down with residents Trevor and Margaret and asked them to share their experience of transitioning from Sturt Retirement Village to Residential Aged Care within RSL Care SA.

Trevor and Margaret’s journey with RSL Care SA began in 2015 when they moved into Sturt Retirement Village. For almost a year they lived independently among the other residents in the village, only receiving assistance with maintenance and gardening. With increasing health concerns, they decided to take their future into their own hands and enquire about Residential Aged Care.

“My wife Margaret has a memory problem and I have been her primary carer for many years. We are both in our mid 80s, but we were managing okay in an independent living unit until I had a fall that required a short period in hospital”.

Fortunately Trevor had already placed his and Margaret’s name on the waiting list for a couple’s room at The War Veterans Home in Myrtle Bank. Already being valued residents of RSL Care SA’s Retirement Village, they were given priority placement into the aged care facility.

“The move to Residential Aged Care at Myrtle Bank over a year ago has proved to be one of the wisest decisions we have taken in our advanced years. The transition from independent living has been seamless and I now recognise that I was only marginally managing to cope prior to the move”.

Although Trevor and Margaret have moved into a higher level of care, RSL Care SA allows them to keep their independence and live with the same freedom they experienced in the Retirement Village;

“The staff at the WVH have been quite exceptional in catering for our needs, we are able to walk freely for several kilometres a day in the parks nearby, we are able to arrange short vacations whenever we wish, and best of all, we both know that as our health further deteriorates we will receive the care that we will need. For the first time in years we can relax!”

Trevor and Margaret can now focus on enjoying each others company while the friendly staff at RSL Care SA handle the rest!

For more information on Residential Aged Care or Retirement Living, please click the link below.

Myrtle Bank Retirement Living

Residents Beth and Peter

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Beth and Peter. They purchased a villa with RSL Care SA to enjoy the convenience of a maintenance free lifestyle. They moved to the Myrtle Bank Retirement Village from Felixstow to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

It wasn’t a quick process. Peter was always open to the idea of a retirement village, but Beth had spent most of her career in the retirement industry and wasn’t as sold on the idea.

Beth and Peter had to ask the question, “what do we do now?” They found themselves with time, a large 5 bedroom family home, and the inconvenience of being North Adelaide while their family was in the Inner South Eastern suburbs. It’s a common scenario, but sometimes people are less inclined to make the move and transition to a Retirement Village.

As you watch the video, Beth and Peter encourage others in similar scenarios to make the move when you can. Don’t make the move when you have to. Circumstances that force a move from the family home take their toll on families and finances adding pressure that could have been avoided with planning and quicker action.

Beth and Peter thoroughly enjoy their villa at Myrtle Bank. It has enough room for the grandchildren, street frontage and a yard for their beautiful dog. They take daily walks to the local doggy park where they have met local neighbours and made lasting friendships.

Enjoy the Uncut Interview.

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You can view more information about RSL Care SA Retirement villages below.

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About us

RSL Care SA believes that the ex-service community deserves the best care and affordable accommodation. RSL Care SA is an independently constituted not for profit organisation with links to the Returned & Services League of Australia (SA Branch).

Our mission is to support veterans and their dependents, although the ex-service community are our primary client group it is not exclusively so. The facilities and services are also available to the broader community.